Three days after three students were beaten by Islami Chhatra Shibir activists led by Rucsu General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar, the Rajshahi University administration has yet to launch an inquiry.
The university formed a five-member committee to investigate Monday’s violence but set no deadline for submitting its report. Despite widespread outrage, the committee remains completely inactive. Its convener, Professor Md Rezaul Karim, told TIMES of Bangladesh on Thursday that work had been put on ice simply because one panel member was away in Dhaka.
The delay has fuelled questions across the campus over whether Shibir leaders and activists will once again escape accountability for attacking students.
Two of the assaulted students, branded as activists of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League, have ended up behind bars under the Anti-Terrorism Act, while their attackers remain untouched.
Sultan Ahmed Rahi, president of the university unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, said, “We hope the investigation committee will complete its work quickly and take the necessary action against those responsible.”
Fuad Ratul, convener of the university unit of the Ganatantrik Chhatra Jote, alleged that the administration’s repeated inaction had emboldened a group on campus.
“After July, muscle-based politics was supposed to end on campus. But because of the university administration’s patronage, one group has become increasingly reckless,” he said.
“The administration has repeatedly ignored their conduct and activities, making them even more audacious. Unless they are brought under control now, the university may face a much bigger crisis and further instability in the future.”
Shibir has previously faced allegations of assaulting students at Rajshahi University without anyone being punished.
On 27 May 2025, Shibir leaders and activists allegedly launched a surprise attack under the banner of “Shahbagh-Birodhi Oikya” on a torch procession organised by the Ganatantrik Chhatra Jote.
The procession was held after Jamaat leader ATM Azharul Islam was acquitted of his death sentence following a review hearing in a crimes against humanity case.
Video footage allegedly shows more than 50 leaders and activists involved in the attack, including university Shibir President Mujahid Faisal, Rucsu Assistant Cultural Secretary Rakibul Islam, Rucsu leader Nazmus Sakib, Madar Bakhsh Hall Student Union Vice-President Rubel, Zia Hall Student Union General Secretary Ariful Islam, Shibir leader Nowsazzaman, GA Sabbir and Shibir activist Iftiar Shaun.
The administration verbally promised an investigation at the time.
The Ganatantrik Chhatra Jote, however, alleges that no one has been brought to justice more than a year later, despite photographs, video footage and other evidence being submitted to the proctorial body.
The lack of action in the previous case has intensified doubts over the latest investigation.
Salahuddin Ammar and other Shibir leaders and activists accused of involvement in Monday’s assault continue to move freely on campus. Ammar has apparently taken no further action since coming under criticism.
Rucsu Vice-President Mostakur Rahman Jahid has also remained silent since threatening action against journalists for reporting on the incident.
Neither leader has announced any step over the assault, while they have reportedly stopped answering calls from journalists who are not among their supporters.
Inquiry committee convener Rezaul Karim said evidence had been collected immediately after the incident.
“On the very first day, we collected all necessary evidence from the discussion room of the Central Library,” he told TIMES.
“Letters were later sent to different offices seeking relevant evidence. However, the committee’s activities remain temporarily limited because one important member is currently in Dhaka.”
Meanwhile, student organisations have begun mobilising against Shibir over the incident.
Following Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the left-leaning Ganatantrik Chhatra Jote submitted a memorandum to the university administration demanding justice over allegations of mob violence, an attack on its programme and other violent activities.
The alliance demanded that Rucsu and Shibir leaders involved in assaulting the students be brought swiftly under the law and given exemplary punishment.
It also called for an impartial investigation into allegations surrounding an attack at the Rucsu building so that the actual perpetrators could be identified and prosecuted.
Other demands included publication of the investigation report into the attack on the alliance’s torch procession and action against those responsible.
The memorandum further sought impartial investigations into unresolved post-July incidents, including the alleged harassment of students at July 36 Hall and allegations of Quran burning in seven residential halls.
The alliance also demanded accountability from the proctorial body over Monday’s incident and the alleged harassment of students at the Proctor’s Office.
Its leaders said Rajshahi University had a long history of terrorism, occupation, seat trading and violent student politics.
Students had hoped that such practices would not return after the July uprising, they said.
However, the alliance warned that the administration’s continued inaction was once again pushing the university towards an undemocratic and unstable campus environment.
